When to Plant Tomatoes in Georgia
In Georgia, the time to transplant tomatoes outside runs from Mar 9 – Mar 23 in Savannah to Apr 11 – Apr 25 in Milton. In Atlanta, it's Mar 31 – Apr 14. The average last spring frost differs by about 5 weeks across the state (Mar 2 in Savannah, Apr 4 in Milton), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Tomatoes are killed by frost and sulk in cold soil. Wait until nights stay above 50°F, usually one to three weeks after the average last frost.
- Start indoors: 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 1–3 weeks after the last frost.
Tomatoes planting dates in Georgia by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | 9a | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Alpharetta | 8a | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Athens-Clarke County | 8b | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Atlanta | 8a | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | 8b | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Brookhaven | 8a | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Canton | 8a | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Chamblee | 8a | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Columbus | 8b | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Dalton | 8a | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Douglasville | 8a | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Duluth | 8a | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Dunwoody | 8a | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| East Point | 8a | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Gainesville | 8a | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Hinesville | 9a | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Johns Creek | 8a | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Kennesaw | 8a | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| LaGrange | 8a | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Mableton | 8a | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Macon-Bibb County | 8b | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Marietta | 8a | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| McDonough | 8a | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Milton | 8a | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Newnan | 8a | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Peachtree City | 8a | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Peachtree Corners | 8a | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Rome | 8a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Roswell | 8a | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Sandy Springs | 8a | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Savannah | 9a | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Smyrna | 8a | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| South Fulton | 8a | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Statesboro | 8b | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Stockbridge | 8a | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Stonecrest | 8a | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Tucker | 8a | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Valdosta | 9a | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Warner Robins | 8b | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Woodstock | 8a | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Georgia, or the general guide to when to plant tomatoes.
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